The Purpose of Tithing

ADD

July 12th 2026

Series: The Generous Life

Sermon Title: The Purpose of Tithing

Topic: Tithing is often misunderstood or entirely overlooked and dismissed. We need to understand what tithing is, why it is important, and that it is still expected for New Testament Christians.

Key Passages: Leviticus 27:30, Matthew 23:23-24, Malachi 3:6-12

Sermon Blurb: In today’s message, we will look at the purpose of tithing and how it is still important in the life of a Christian.

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Sermon:

Welcome to Family Church!

        For those here in person or watching online… thank you for being a part of today’s service!

        And if this is your first time joining us, thank you for being our guest today!

        I hope you have had a great experience so far, and that this service has already been a blessing and encouragement to you!

PAUSE

Family Moment –

Start with something personal from your family life recently to help people get to know you.

Celebrate salvation/rededications/baptisms last week.

Celebrate new disciples and disciple-makers.

We are in a 4-week teaching series diving into what it would look like if we lived a generous life.

Last week we answered the question: “What does it mean to live generously?”

We talked about the heart of generosity and how our Posture of Giving matters.

Today, we are going to talk about the Purpose of Tithing.

Tithing is a bible-word that refers to an agreement God made with His people regarding wealth and resources.

We’re going to answer the question: “Why should I tithe faithfully?”

And what IS and IS NOT a tithe.

Next week, we’re going to the other side of the “giving coin.”

Next week we will look at what an offering is.

Where tithing is about TRUSTING God, offerings demonstrate our deepening LOVE for God.

We’ll answer the question: “What is Spirit-led giving?”

And then, in week 4, we’re going to discuss stewardship.

Not just money… but how do we steward our resources, abilities, and opportunities to best honor God.

We’ll answer the question: “How do I steward my life for eternity”?

I hope you will stay dialed in each week.

        I really believe this series will help us to better understand how we can live in God’s blessings and be a blessing for Him to others!

PAUSE

And let me say this right out of the gate today:

In this series…

        We are NOT guilting you to give money.

        We are NOT forcing fundraising.

        We are NOT pressuring anyone.

What we are trying to do is…

        Give biblical guidance for living a generous life.

        We want to help you learn how to honor God in this part of your life.

        We want to encourage everyone to keep eternity in perspective regarding the blessings God has given us.

I hope this series will shed God’s light, from the Bible, on what He says and wants for us.

        God has a purpose in everything and that includes how we steward and handle the resources and opportunities He has given us.

PAUSE

Let me ask you a question… Have you ever heard the word “tithe”?

Go ahead—raise your hand if you have.

Alright, a lot of us have heard of it (some have not)

I wont ask you to raise you hands on this one…

        But do you feel like you really understand what tithing is?

Or is it still a little confusing… maybe even misunderstood?

Let me ask you one more question— And don’t raise your hand for this one…

Do you tithe?

Do you tithe?

Do you give God the first 10% of EVERYTHING he trusts you with?

PAUSE

Today, we’re going to talk about tithing—

What it is. Why it matters.

And how it positions our lives to walk in trust and experience God’s blessing.

PAUSE

Make your own story

When I was growing up, my parents took me to a church where ushers would pass an offering plate down the aisle.

It would start in the front row… They’d hand the plate to the first person… Then it would go person to person… Until everyone had a chance to give.

Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about.

But today, things look a little different.

With online banking and automation, many churches encourage digital giving—It’s easy, safe, and consistent.

In fact, that’s how my wife and I give.

I’ve also been in churches where, during a song, people come forward— Dropping their offering in baskets at the front.

Different methods… same purpose.

PAUSE

Today I want to make it very clear what tithing is.

Why it matters. And if it is actually something God asks of us.

These are important questions— and today, we’re going to answer them from God’s Word.

PAUSE

So, let’s dive in.

If you have your bible with you (and I hope you do), open it to the Book of

Leviticus 27

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Simply download the app and click "Sermon Notes" on the main page.

I want to start by defining 2 terms.

First, let’s define the word “tithe”.

If you’re taking notes, write this down:

Tithe means “a tenth or 10 percent.”

        (Repeat)

That is literally the definition of this word, tithe.

        It comes from the Hebrew word ‘ma’aser’ and is found throughout the Old Testament of the Bible.

PAUSE

Now, the first time we see this concept of giving 10% comes in Genesis 14:20.

There Abram encounters a mysterious figure—a priest named Melchizedek.

And Scripture tells us that Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

And bear in mind this happened BEFORE God gave any of the Law in the Old Testament.

BEFORE any formal commandments were given.

BEFORE God established the agreement regarding tithes.

And this FIRST mention of giving 10% to God, priests of God, or the church….

It shows us something important.

For Abram it was a VOLUNTARY act of worship.

Abram gave a tenth out of gratitude for what God had done.

        It isn’t about legalism

        Or obligation

        But thankfulness to God!

So write this down:

Tithing is a action I do to express thankfulness to God.

(Repeat)

And for all you deep bible study people… you might also want to study Hebrews 7…

        Because that mysterious figure—Melchizedek—is a type or picture of Jesus.

        So, bible scholars go have fun with that!!!

PAUSE

In Leviticus 27, however, God turns tithing into a command as He is establishing the Covenant or agreement with His people.

In Leviticus, God is solidifying the tithe.

Formalizing the concept of tithing for His people.

Leviticus 27:30 “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.

This statement formalizes the principle: A tenth of the land’s produce is to be given to God. 

        This serves as both an act of worship and acknowledgment of God’s divine ownership over resources.

        Look at the passage, it says, “A tithe… belongs to the Lord”

So, let me ask you—Who does the tithe belong to?

The Lord.

It doesn’t belong to the government.

It doesn’t belong to my spending money, My extras,

My “just in case” fund.

The tithe belongs to God!

A BETTER way to understand the tithe is that we don’t “give” the tithe to God but we “return” to tithe back to God…

Because it is already His!

PAUSE

AND… look at the passage…

It says the tithe is HOLY to the Lord.

Holy means set apart.

Which means the tithe isn’t ordinary…

It’s not common…

It’s not interchangeable with everything else.

The tithe is set apart for God.

Exclusively His. Given to Him… For His purposes.

So, Tithe means 10%.

        It is not symbolic, it is specific.

        Not common but consecrated.

PAUSE

So that’s what a tithe is…

But what does it mean to tithe?

Write this down:

Tithing is a declaration of trust in God—giving the first 10% with joy, faith, and an open hand, knowing He is the provider.    

(Repeat)

Tithing isn’t just about what we give…it’s about who we trust.

        Do we trust that by giving God BACK 10% that we can do more with 90% and God blessing….than we can with 100% and NO blessing from God.

        Do we trust God will provide what we need next so we DON’T need to horde more today…

        Who do we trust in?

                God today and in the future.

                In our savings account today.

                Our retirement account in the future.

        Who or what do we trust in…

PAUSE

And there are some who suggest that tithing was just for Old Testament Jews.

They say, “Now, we have a New Covenant with God through Jesus.”

I know lots of people who say:

Jesus doesn’t require Christians to tithe.

That tithing was ONLY for Jewish people in the Old Testament.

That Jesus NEVER said to tithe.

That Jesus NEVER talked about money…

And I always smile when people say that…

Because it shows me that they have not read something called the Bible.

That they just listened to some influencer or podcast by someone who also did not read the Bible.

Jesus talked about money around 60 times.

Jesus talked about how to handle our money MORE than he talked about Faith and Trust in God.

Jesus talked about how to handle our money MORE than he talked about Repentance, Sin, and Righteousness.

And Jesus DIRECTLY addressed tithing in Matthew 23.

        Let me read that to you:

Matthew 23:23-24 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin.

But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.

You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

Let me make sure you all understand what is going on here.

Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees.

That is the church leaders of His day.

And he said, “You give a tenth of your spices… You tithe… GOOD JOB….

HOWEVER…you’ve neglected the more important matters—justice, mercy, and faithfulness.”

Then He says something really important:

“You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”

In other words…

Jesus AFFIRMED tithing and did NOT say it did not matter!

He also corrects their heart.

They were doing the right action…tithing… But they had the wrong priorities.

Jesus wasn’t against tithing—He was against empty, heartless giving!

And that takes us right back to what we talked about last weekend—the posture of giving.

Because it’s not just about what we do…

It’s about why we do it.

God sees the heart. And activity without sincerity… is just religion.

You can do the right thing…

With the wrong heart…

Tithing isn’t about checking a box.

It’s not about religious obligation…

It is NOT some Christian duty.

It’s about trust…

Worship.

Honor.

And PROPER placement of God in our lives.

Tithing dethrones MONEY in our lives.

        It removes MONEY as our #1 focus.

It removes MONEY as the primary WORRY in our lives.

PAUSE

And church…I DON’T want you to miss this…

        Tithing is a 2-way covenant.

        A 2-party agreement between God and us.

And when God makes a convent with us… he will ALWAYS keep up His end of the deal!

        And I want to show you God’s end of this agreement…

Turn with me to the Book of Malachi.

Let’s hear what God said:

Malachi 3:6-12 “I the Lord do not change. So, you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them.

Return to me, and I will return to you, ”says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings.

9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.

Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.

12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

Stop there.

God starts with how He is consistent.

He has never changed.

The God of creation… is the God of today.

The God of the Old Testament… is the God we follow right now.

        God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Now to be clear…

Are there laws and customs in the Old Testament that were specific to Israel then…

Ceremonial laws… Dietary laws…

Even some Civil laws…

Things we don’t have to practice today.

YES!!!

But just because SOME practices ended does not mean ALL practices for that period of time ended.

God’s nature hasn’t changed.

        God’s purpose has not changed.

        God’s Person and character has not changed.

        God’s PROMISES have not changed.

I honestly think the reason why Tithing has been there since the very start of the Bible and never ended is because of this fact…

Write this down:

Tithing doesn’t change God, it changes us.

                (Repeat)

        It helps break our selfish nature.

        It helps break our self-reliance.

        It helps re-prioritize our lives.

        It helps us EXPIRENCE God!

And that’s exactly what leads us to THIS awesome promise in Malachi.

        Because right after he says, “I the Lord do not change…”

        He invites His people into something powerful.

        He said…listen to it again…

Look in your Bibles…

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.

Now let me clear something up here.

        And I know this will offend some of you.

        But listen…if you are offended…look at what the Bible says…not what you want it to say…

Whose storehouse is God talking about here church?

        His. God’s.

        Whose house is it church?

        His. God’s.

So, is the store house you tithe to…your kids Christian school?

        Nope.

        Don’t get me wrong…Christian School is great!

        But the schools focus is educating children NOT building God’s kingdom and leading people to Jesus.

Is the store house your favorite non-profit?

        Nope.

        If that non-profit’s focus is NOT building God’s kingdom and leading people to Jesus it is NOT God’s store house.

        And don’t get me wrong…

        Feed programs are great!

        Homeless programs are great.

        Clean water projects are great.

        But they are NOT God’s store house.

Giving to all those kinds of things…come from what is called offerings…

        And that is what we will talk about NEXT week…

Tithing…

        As God says here…is to HIS house…HIS church…for His purposes…

        Not 1% to God and 9% to your favorite causes.

        10% to God.

And check this out church…

        I know some of you do NOT like what I just said.

        I know a lot of you do NOT practice what I just said.

If we do this…

        If we give God our FIRST 10%...

Check out what God says…

Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Did you catch that?

God doesn’t just give a command…

He gives us an invitation.

“Test me in this.”

Did you know this is LITTERALLY the ONLY place in Bible where God says:

Try me.

Trust me.

Step out and see what I will do.

This is not about God trying to get something from you.

This is about God wanting something for you.

Because when we trust God first… when we honor Him with what already belongs to Him…

We’re not losing—we’re positioning our lives under His provision…

His protection…

and His blessing.

And God says….if you do this LOOK OUT!!!!

        BLESSING IS COMING!!!!

PAUSE

So, here’s the question…

Do you trust Him?

Not just in what you say… but in how you live.

Not just with your words… but with your resources.

For some of you… this is your next step.

To move from understanding into obedience.

From hesitation…to trust.

        And to start tithing.

PAUSE

Let me end with this…

God says, "Put me to the test!"

        Test me and watch me bless you!!!

Now, I want to be very clear; what I am not saying is that if you tithe today, you are going to get rich tomorrow.

This is not a prosperity Gospel message.

But, what I will tell you is that when you honor God with the tithe…

God will prove himself faithful.

He says, "Test me."

And so I talked with our board and we want to do something that is going to sounds crazy to you.

We are going to offer a 3-month tithe challenge today.

And I know lots of churches that do this…so it isn’t as crazy as you might think…

But we want to help you accept God’s challenge.

We want you to “put God to the test.”

Anyone want to hear my crazy idea?

You want to try it?

Here is the deal…

We are going to ask you to sign up for a

3-month tithe challenge.

And we are going to ask you to tithe 10% faithfully for the next 3 months.

And here is the deal…

We are going to make this SO good you cannot say no…

Here is our pledge as a church…If you sign up…and if you will do that for the next 3 months…

If you feel like God didn't prove Himself faithful, show up in some amazing way in your life.

If you contact the church, we will give it all back.

We will give you 100% of your money back.

We want to help you put God to the test.

Because we believe, you will see the hand of God working.

And I know some of you think this is crazy…so let me share a story with you from a church who does this…100% true story…from a gal named Shannon. After she took the tithe challenge, she said:

I'm 23, I've been a follower of Christ since I was 17, but I have just now begun to understand the importance and responsibility of tithing 10% back to God through the church. I wrestled with the idea of giving money away, coming up with virtually every excuse I could think of. I need money, I am still in college, rent, bills to pay, debt to pay off, blah, blah, blah.

She said: I woke up one day in December and had decided the next pay period I was just going to do it, give my 10%. Christmas was just around the corner and giving this money meant that I wouldn't be able to afford the digital camera for my Mom that I had planned to buy, but I tithed anyway.

Two weeks later, I got a call from my boss saying I had won a door prize at a company Christmas party I didn't even attend. I unwrapped the package, and to my surprise, I found a Nikon Coolpix Digital Camera, complete with carrying case, mini tripod and a memory card!

My first words were, "No way!" I knew immediately that God had sent me this camera as a sign of his faithfulness to my obedience to His call of giving.

Each time I drop my tithe into the offering, I have the joy and contentment of knowing that the money I am giving is furthering the Kingdom of Christ, tithing has not only taught me a lesson on the faithfulness of God, but it's brought me closer to Him in the process. I hope others of you will take the challenge and see what God does for you in return for your obedience.

"Test me" God says.

This is the test.

This is the challenge.

Will you choose to accept it?

Here is how to sign up…

There is a

QR code on the screen,

it is in your sermon notes, or you can fill out a connect card and write I accept the tithe challenge on it.

On your checks, write the tithe challenge, and we will record it that way.

Or with online giving, or in app giving, there is an option that says tithe challenge, and we will mark it that way.

Do that and then again…if you decide it was waste and God didn’t show up…

We will give you 100% back…

PAUSE

Let me close with this church…

In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

God gave his first.

His one and only Son.

His best.

He gave before we believed.

He gave first.

Believing that we would see His gift to us and believe.

Our only reasonable response would be to give Him our whole lives. God gave first, and we give our whole lives back.

PAUSE

Let me encourage you to come back next week….

        As we dive into another aspect of what a generous life looks like…

But before we do that, let me give you your life application today…

If you are new or newer to Family Church, we LOVE to end our messages with something for you to talk about with someone else.

        Something to help you apply the message to your life.

So here is this week’s Life Application…

Life Application: Evaluate where you are on tithing this week. If you are not, accept the challenge to start. As a result of today’s message, I will….

Prayer:

        Make sure to do a salvation call!

Offering:

Thank you all for being here today!

        If you would like to continue your worship through giving, there are offering boxes by the doors as you exit, or behind me on the screens. You can also see other ways to give here at Family Church.

        You can also place any connection cards you filled out in there.

***Each week we want to highlight a different way to give.

Week #2 –

If you did not know, can you set up one-time or recurring giving in our app?

        Just open our app.

        Click the give icon in the bottom right corner, and it will walk you through the process.

        It is super secure, and hundreds of people are already giving to us on a scheduled basis that way!

Have a great week!!

[KS1]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pUAnrVWUkk&list=RD8pUAnrVWUkk&start_radio=1